From Post staff reports
LEBANON -- With a final 3-2 vote Monday night, the Wilson County Board of Education gave approval for Cumberland University to move its football operation and play games at Nokes-Lasater Field in Lebanon beginning this summer.

Cumberland will take over the facility in June and move its entire football operation, including coaches, equipment and athletic trainers, to the facility. With the move the Bulldogs will be able to schedule night games for the first time in program history.

“This is a game-changer for our football program and University,” said Director of Athletics Ron Pavan.

“We are moving in a direction to continually improve our institution and facilities for our athletic programs and this allows us to do that not only for football but other sports within the department. It will also help us grow our fan base with the ability to play night games and give us more visibility and accessibility within the community.”

The 5,000-seat facility has been the home of Lebanon High School football for the past 46 years. It offers expanded restrooms and concessions areas for the fans as well as an indoor practice facility and two 80-yard practice fields for the football program.

One of the other major aspects to the agreement between the University and the Board of Education is the continual growth of Cumberland’s footprint as an institution. The Nokes-Lasater facility is very near CU’s McFarland campus, home to the Cumberland nursing program.

The Bulldog soccer program also is a beneficiary of the agreement and will play its home games next season at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field, which will greatly expand the program’s seating area as well as provide locker rooms for both the men’s and women’s programs.